The Value of Flared Magwells?

[wmg1299]

I am a big fan of the XD line, and recently picked up an XD(M) Elite. I was thinking of removing the flared magwell to aid in concealment, but wanted to make sure that there isn’t a benefit to flared magwells that I may have overlooked. I know that they supposedly aid in reloading, but I do not recall ever having problems in this area.

I worked my way through law school as an officer with what appears to be one of the few law enforcement agencies that takes firearms training seriously. I can probably count on one hand the number of times someone missed their magwell in all of the trainings and timed certifications I attended. I have never competed, but I assume that competitions require faster times than most police qualification courses. Do any of you that compete feel that flared magwells offer a significant advantage, or are they more of a “bell & whistle” feature that manufacturers add to set their products apart?

 

[Talyn]

The XD(M) Elite is an evolution of the XD(M) Competition, as such both where designed for IDPA/IPSC competition therefore the flared mag well on the Elite.

However, both models are perfectly fine as self-defense pistols. I like my XD(M) Competition so much that's what I carry as my primary defense pistol. If the Elites' flared mag well hinders concealed carry for you just take it off since it was designed to do so.